Women's Fund

PURPOSE: A volunteer Advisory Board encourages giving to establish new and grow existing endowment funds to support annual grants and scholarships that fulfill the mission.

Additional Info

Established:1991

MISSION: To expand chances and choices for Lorain County women and girls. To initiate financial and funding equity for women and girls. To award grants for projects that may not receive monies from traditional sources of funding. To support social, educational, and artistic projects by, for, and delivered to women and girls. To encourage the full participation of women and girls in our community.

VISION STATEMENT: The Women’s Fund forges relationships with people who care enough about women and girls in Lorain County to build an endowment that makes a significant impact.

NOTE: 2014 Grant application deadline has been changed to September 1st.

History

In 1991, a few women were very concerned by the average sums spent for projects designed specifically to meet the needs of women and girls. In spite of the fact that women and girls were most likely to suffer from many of society's ills (e.g. underemployment, lack of education, domestic abuse, sexual assault, absence of health insurance, single parenting issues), only 3.4% of national funding was directed toward programs for them. The Lorain County women were determined that they would create a much better situation for the women and girls in this area. They pooled their resources and established the Women’s Fund.

The Women’s Fund is a permanent endowment that encourages and supports both non-traditional and mainstream endeavors that are developed by or particularly benefit girls and women. Also, by providing money for projects for and by women and girls, the Women’s Fund will change the inequities in funding provided by other agencies.

The entire community then benefits when you help the daughters, mothers, aunts, nieces, friends, and neighbors throughout Lorain County to grow and reach their full potential.

The Women’s Fund relies on gifts from generous individuals and organizations to continue making grants in our community. Be the candle that lights the way of Lorain County’s women and girls by making a gift to the Women’s Fund.